European stock markets headed lower Wednesday following losses in Asia, with worries about a global downturn weighing on banking and commodity stocks.

FRANKFURT, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Germany's state and federal governments plan to decide by Christmas whether to extend a guarantee of 1 billion euros ($1.26 billion) to Opel, should its Detroit-based parent General Motors file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. GM Europe has ruled out a collapse of the German carmaker, which traces its roots back to 1899 and has been part of GM since 1929, ...

World stock markets slumped Wednesday amid concerns about sinking consumer prices in the U.S. and the shaky future of the Big Three U.S. automakers.

World stock markets fell Wednesday amid concerns about the global economy after further grim U.S. economic news and as the Big Three Detroit-based automakers pleaded to be bailed out by Congress.

European and Asian stock markets dropped Wednesday ahead of expected losses on Wall Street amid concerns about the future of the U.S. automotive industry and ahead of crucial U.S. inflation and housing data.

European and Asian markets fall sharply amid growing concerns that the world economy will enter a protracted slump.

Nov. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Most European stocks declined, led by financial firms and mining companies, on concern the deepening recession will erode profits.

Nov. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Gold fell in London as U.K. inflation slowed the most in more than a decade and before U.S. data that will probably show a record slump in producer prices, curbing the appeal of the precious metal as a hedge against rising costs.

Nov. 18 (Bloomberg) -- European stocks rose as higher oil prices lifted energy producers and better-than-expected earnings from Hewlett-Packard Co. and Home Depot Inc. eased concern the recession will snuff out profits.

Nov. 18 (Bloomberg) -- European stocks declined for a second day, led by financial firms and mining companies, on concern the deepening recession will erode profits.